Celebrities pull out all the stops for their weddings, so it’s no surprise you’d want to copy your favorite A-lister on your own wedding day. To help you steal stars’ style secrets, we polled some of our favorite wedding vendors for their tips on throwing a Hollywood-worthy wedding.
LAUREN CONRAD + WILLIAM TELL
TIP: Score on-sale accessories. We’re still swooning over Lauren’s jewel-encrusted Badgley Mischka shoes. If you have your eye on an expensive pair, resist the urge to splurge: Keep a close on the stock at designer outlets, like Neiman Marcus Last Call and Saks Off-Fifth, where you can find pumps for a fraction of the original price.
Event Design: White Elephant Events. Photographer: Alexis June Weddings.
TIP: Opt for a petite wedding cake. Lauren and William’s was a dainty two layers. A small cake is also a good way to save money: The bakery can make a small “just for show” cake, then your caterer can cut up supermarket sheet cake (much less expensive) in the kitchen for guests to eat.
JOHN LEGEND + CHRISSY TEIGEN
TIP: Indulge your inner foodie. Cookbook author Chrissy and her groom picked a decadent four-tiered naked carrot cake layered with cream cheese frosting. The ring shaped-sugar cubes below are a less-extravagant—but just as sweet—touch for your reception tables.
SNOOKI + JIONNI LAVALLE
TIP: Opt for small, sparkly touches—they can make a big impact. Snooki and Jionni had loads of sparkly accents at their Gatsby-themed wedding. Instead of sequin-covered table cloths (which can cost more than $150 each) at every table, rent just one or two for focal point tables (like the cake table and the escort card table) and the use smaller, less-expensive touches of sparkle elsewhere.
Event Design: Rothweiler Events. Photographer: Sarah Schulte.
NIKKI REED + IAN SOMERHALDER
TIP: Don’t forget the details. Having a vintage-rustic wedding like Nikki and Ian? These monogrammed hankies are perfect for wiping away happy tears.
TIP: Keep your palette clean and classic. Nikki and Ian opted for flowers in shades of white and with lots of unfussy, wild greenery, which is great for texture and volume—and also easy on your budget.
Event Design: Megan Dileen Events. Photographer: Ambre Williams Photography.
DESIREE HARTSOCK + CHRIS SIEGFRIED
TIP: Look to the great outdoors. Celebs’ favorite venues are often outside—and they’re often available for non-famous people to rent. Desiree and Chris (also pictured below) swapped vows at Wayfarers Chapel in California. Here are more celebs’ wedding venues.
Photo: Brandon Kidd Photo.
SOLANGE + ALAN FERGUSON
TIP: Look for a minimalist venue. Solange’s wedding pictures look as though they were taken in an empty warehouse. If you want your wedding to feel similarly stark (in a good way!) pass on venues with busy wallpaper or loud carpeting.
JASON KENNEDY + LAUREN SCRUGGS
TIP: Embrace matchy-matchy. Lauren and Jason kept things classic, with bridesmaids in matching floor-length gray dresses and groomsmen in matching black suits. If you have a big wedding party, a dress in a single, flattering silhouette and color will look better than a mix-and-match assortment.
Event Design: Couture Events. Photographer: One Love Photography.
EMILY MAYNARD + TYLER JOHNSON
TIP: Look for money-saving shortcuts on classic details. You can splurge on fancy-looking invitations if you cut a few corners: Print the reception info right on the invitation (instead of paying for a separate reception card) and opt for invites with one color of ink. (The more inks used, the more the stationery will cost.)
Stationery: Bella Figura. Photographer: Kate Ignatowski Photography.
KIM KARDASHIAN + KANYE WEST
TIP: Emphasize your eyes—and keep hair simple. When she said “I do” to Kanye West, Kim Kardashian skipped the fussy updo and wore her hair straight and shiny. For makeup, it was all about the dramatic eyes.
Makeup: Beauty Entourage. Photographer: Blue Diamond Photography.
RILEY KEOUGH + BEN SMITH-PETERSEN
TIP: Search for out-of-the-box venues. Riley and Ben said “I do” at a ranch. You can get a similar vibe at other spaces that aren’t dedicated event venues. Julia and Ben, in the video below, held their wedding at Caramoor in upstate New York, which is a center for music and arts.
Julia & Ben - Trailer Film (Basic) :: NST Pictures The Caramoor Wedding Video from NST Pictures on Vimeo.
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ALLISON WILLIAMS + RICKY VAN VEEN
TIP: Don’t get too attached to a couture gown. Sure, Allison Williams looked amazing in Oscar de la Renta, but a dress that costs more than a mid-size sedan isn’t in every bride’s budget. Decide what details you like—a peekaboo back, lace details—and look for those details in lower-priced gowns. (The Celia Lace gown below is under $3,000.)
For more wedding inspiration, check out this wedding hair how-to.